Tuesday, September 28, 2010

LucasFilm announced today that they are currently preparing all six Star Wars films for re-release into theaters under the popular 3D format. They will begin by releasing Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 2012 to select theaters worldwide.

If you read Disney, etc. regularly, you'll know that I hate 3D. I despise it. 3D is the scourge of the entertainment industry and should be stopped at all costs. It is an empty gimmick void of any reason to exist. However, surprisingly enough, I am not completely against the idea of LucasFilm re-releasing the complete Star Wars saga in 3D. I am not against seeing Anakin in 3-Dimensions for two main reasons: it will help kill 3D once and for all, and I want to see Star Wars in theaters again.

3D is a conspiracy, contrived by greedy studio heads who will do anything to pinch a few of their precious pennies. Here's how: Films screened in the 3D format require digital projectors. Digital projectors save studios thousands of dollars per theater due to the costly production, storage, and transportation of digital's alternative: old-fashioned film reels. By pushing 3D, the studios are hoping to get more and more theaters to install these cheap digital projectors, thus saving the studios millions.

When Star Wars gets released back into theaters, it is going to be an epic event. Every theater is going to want to cash in on the world's most popular film franchise. If any theater out there was still on the fence about installing a digital projector, this will make up their mind. By releasing six 3D films of this massive proportion, LucasFilm has successfully killed 3D. By pushing all theaters to install these digital projectors, they are effectively removing the need for future 3D films.

In addition to its killing 3D, Star Wars' re-release is exciting because I want to see the saga on the big screen again, no matter how many dimensions it's in. I love Star Wars,and thinking about settling down in the dark, cool theater with my bucket of popcorn (and annoying 3D glasses) to watch one of the greatest film franchises ever made makes me very excited indeed.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Yesterday, Pixar released some of the stunning concept art from their recently-canceled feature Newt. The art can be found on their Facebook page here. The album caption reads:

As most of you already know, "Newt" is no longer in development at Pixar. However, that doesn't mean we can't share some of the Pixar artists' amazing artwork with our Facebook fans!

It is very rare for a studio to release so many production materials this soon after having canceled a feature, but I'm glad that they did. This concept art is spectacular. The set pieces, scientists, Newt and Brooke, and several other very interesting characters can all be seen in the album.

This concept art makes me sad. I was really looking forward to Newt, and was disappointed when they canceled it. I'm glad Pixar knows story well enough to know when to quit, but the concept seemed so solid...

I don't think this concept art means that they are trying to build interest because they are thinking about putting it back into production, but a guy can hope, can't he?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

James Hance, whom I just decided is one of the best artists on the planet, has recently released the above set of images (courtesy of BoingBoing) depicting Han Solo as Christopher Robin, Chewbacca as Pooh, R2D2 as Piglet, and an AT-AT as Eeyore.

Genius.

In my opinion, two of the greatest human creations to come out the past 100 years are Star Wars and Winnie-the-Pooh. To see both of them combined so flawlessly and artistically makes me wish I had thought of doing it first. But, then again, I could never draw as well as Mr. James Hance. Man, I could look at these illustrations all day long.

The main reason, is that the illustrations are in the wonderful, classic style of E.H. Shepard and the original A.A. Milne volumes of Winnie-the-Pooh.

He will be selling the first volume of Wookiee the Chew here on his site soon. I'm definitely getting one. What a brilliant, well-executed idea. After I receive my copy, I'll post my thoughts...

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